Handrail, Kit, and Method for Installation of Same

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a handrail kit are provided. The handrail kit includes a cover, a first endcap, a second endcap, and a support member. The support member includes a longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side. The first lateral side of the support member is configured to be secured directly against a mounting surface. The first endcap is configured to mate with the first end of the support member and the second endcap is configured to mate with the second end of the support member. The cover is configured to be placed over the second lateral side of the support member and to engage the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the support member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of handrails. Thepresent invention relates specifically to handrails usable in behavioralhealth facilities.

In behavioral health facilities, some patients are at risk of harmingthemselves and will use whatever objects that may be around them to thateffect. Thus, in behavioral health facilities, structures and componentsmust be designed to substantially limit their ability to be used bypatients who may wish to harm themselves. Embodiments of the presentinvention relate to a handrail system that addresses this need in theart.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a handrail kit. The handrailkit includes a cover, a first endcap, a second endcap, and a supportmember. The support member includes a longitudinal axis, a first endalong the longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, afirst lateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side,and a second longitudinal side. The first lateral side of the supportmember is configured to be secured directly against a mounting surface.The first endcap is configured to mate with the first end of the supportmember and the second endcap is configured to mate with the second endof the support member. The cover is configured to be placed over thesecond lateral side of the support member and to engage the firstlongitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the supportmember.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of installing ahandrail. The handrail includes a first endcap, a second end cap, asupport member, and a cover. The support member has a longitudinal axis,a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along thelongitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a firstlongitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side. In the method, thefirst endcap is mated to the first end of the support member, and thesecond endcap is mated to the second end of the support member. Thefirst lateral side of the support member is attached directly to amounting surface, and the cover is attached to the support member overthe first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a handrail. The handrailincludes a support member having a longitudinal axis, a first end alongthe longitudinal axis, a second end along the longitudinal axis, a firstlateral side, a second lateral side, a first longitudinal side, and asecond longitudinal side. The handrail also includes a first endcapmated with the first end of the support member and a second endcap matedwith the second end of the support member. Further, the handrailincludes a cover placed over the second lateral side of the supportmember and engaged with the first longitudinal side and the secondlongitudinal side of the support member. The first lateral side of thesupport member is configured to be secured directly against a mountingsurface.

Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features andcombinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the handrail system, according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional, perspective view of the handrailsystem of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the handrail system of FIG. 1taken along line 3-3, showing the structural member and cover, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an endcap of the handrail system,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the handrail system of FIG. 1taken along line 5-5, showing the attachment of the endcap to thestructural member, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the handrail system of FIG. 1taken along line 6-6, showing the attachment of the structural member tothe mounting surface, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the presentinvention is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in thedescription or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understoodthat the terminology is for the purpose of description only and shouldnot be regarded as limiting.

Generally, a handrail that is easier to install and more difficult todisassemble than conventional handrails is provided. In particular, thehandrail includes a single piece support member that connects directlyto the mounting surface (e.g., wall). The handrail cover snaps onto thesupport member in such a way that removal is difficult. In certainconventional designs, the handrail cover could be dislodged and used bya patient in a behavior health facility to harm himself/herself orothers, or the patient could use the exposed handrail support member toinjure himself/herself. Despite being more difficult to disassemble, thehandrail is easier to assemble and install than other conventionaldesigns, especially those requiring a backer board or mounting bracketto mount the support member to the wall. These and other advantages willbe discussed in relation to the exemplary embodiments provided below.

Referring to the FIG. 1, an embodiment of a handrail 10 is depicted. Asshown in FIG. 1, the handrail 10 is attached to a mounting surface 11,such as a wall of a building. The handrail 10 includes a first endcap12, a second endcap 14, and a handrail cover 16 that is disposed betweenthe first endcap 12 and the second endcap 14. The endcaps 12, 14 mayalso be referred to as “returns.” As can be seen in the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 1, the endcaps 12, 14 and cover 16 define asubstantially continuous surface along longitudinal axis a havingcorresponding curvatures going from the top of the handrail system 10 tothe bottom of the handrail 10 (with respect to the orientation shown inFIG. 1). In embodiments, the cover 16 and the endcaps 12, 14 are bothcomprised of a plastic material. In particular, the cover 16 and endcaps12, 14 are preferably made from an impact resistant plastic. In anembodiment, the cover 16 is made from PVC. Further, in embodiments, thecover 16 is an extruded component. In embodiments, the endcaps 12, 14are made from PVC or ABS. In embodiments, the endcaps 12, 14 are molded,e.g., injection molded, or made through additive manufacturing, e.g.,3D-printing.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective and partial-sectional view of the handrail10, showing the rear, wall-facing side of the handrail 10. As can beseen in FIG. 2, the cover 16 is snapped over a handrail support member18, which will be discussed in more detail in relation to FIG. 3.Additionally, the endcap 14 engages an end of the handrail supportmember 18 as will be discussed more fully below in relation to FIG. 4.

Turning to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the support member 18 andthe cover 16 taken along the longitudinal axis a is shown. Inembodiments, the support member 18 is made from extruded aluminum.Advantageously, each of the structure shown in the cross-sectional viewof FIG. 3 and that will be discussed below can be formed directly in theextrusion process. In other embodiments, the support member 18 can bemade from another material, such as another metal or a plastic. Thesupport member 18 has a central strip 20 that, when installed, issubstantially parallel to the mounting surface. Extending substantiallyperpendicularly from a first lateral side of the central strip 20 thatfaces the mounting surface is a mounting arm 22. Also extending from thefirst lateral side of the central strip 20 is an angled mounting arm 24.In embodiments, the angled mounting arm 24 is angled relative to thecentral strip 20 at an angle of, e.g., from 91° to 135°. At the end ofthe mounting arm 22 is a first mounting strip 26, and at the end of theangled mounting arm 24 is a second mounting strip 28. The mountingstrips 26, 28 are configured to abut the mounting surface wheninstalled.

A first support arm 30 and a second support arm 32 extend away from thesecond lateral side of the central strip 20 that faces away from themounting surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the first support arm 30 is inline with the mounting arm 22 such that the central strip 20, mountingarm 22, and first support arm 30 form a junction in the support member18. As is also shown in FIG. 3, the second support arm 32 is in linewith the place where the angled mounting arm 24 extends from the centralstrip 20 such that the central strip 20, angled mounting arm 24, andsecond support arm 32 also form a junction in the support member 18. Thesupport arms 30, 32 are designed to provide support for the cover 16 sothat the cover 16 maintains its contour when installed on the supportmember 18. In furtherance of this function, a first support panel 34 isdisposed at an end of the first support arm 30, and a second supportpanel 36 is disposed at an end of the second support arm 32. As can beseen in FIG. 3, the support panels 34, 36 are angled relative to thesupport arms 30, 32 to match the contour of the cover 16 in the regionin which the cover 16 contacts the support panels 34, 36.

On a first longitudinal side, the central strip 20 also includes acurved extension 38. With respect to the orientation of the centralstrip 20 shown in FIG. 3, the curved extension 38 extends upwardly fromthe central strip 20. Further, in embodiments, the curved extension 38curves toward the mounting surface. Proximal to a distal end of thecurved extension 38 is a first projection 40. The first projection 40extends substantially perpendicularly from the curved extension 38. Atthe end of the first projection 40 is a curved support section 42creating a curved surface over which the cover 16 is supported. Thecurved extension 38, first projection 40, and curved support section 42create a slot 44 into which the cover 16 terminates. In particular, thecover 16 includes a first curved section 46 having a curvature thatsubstantially matches the curvature of the curved support section 42 andthat hooks over the curved support section 42, and a first edge 48 ofthe cover 16 terminates in the slot 44. In embodiments, the curvedextension 38 has a tapered surface 50 designed to match the curvature ofthe cover 16 in the region where it enters the slot 44. By terminatingthe cover 16 in the slot 44, a patient cannot easily grip the first edge48 to try to pry to the cover 16 from the support member 18.

On a second longitudinal side of the support member 18 opposite to thecurved extension 38 is a depending extension 52. Depending extension 52is substantially in line with the central strip 20. A second projection54 extends from an end of the depending extension 52 in the secondlateral direction and toward the cover 16. Further, extending from thesecond projection 54 is a ledge 56. A protrusion 58 juts from a surfaceof the ledge 56 that faces the mounting surface. As shown in FIG. 3, thecover 16 includes a second curved section 60 with a second edge 62. Thesecond curved section 60 is configured to slide over the front face ofand around the ledge 56 such that the second edge 62 abuts or is inclose proximity to the protrusion 58. Similar to the slot 44 into whichthe first edge 48 terminates, the proximity of the protrusion 58 and thesecond edge 62 makes gripping the second edge 62 more difficult,especially for the purpose of prying the second curved section 60 fromaround the ledge 56.

Between the first curved section 46 and the second curved section 60 ofthe cover 16 is a contoured section 64. The contoured section 64 can beof any of a variety of suitable contours available for handrail designs.As mentioned above, the support panels 34, 36 maintain the contour ofthe contoured section 64. Further, in embodiments, the cover 16 isformed in such a way and from such a material that the cover 16 has tobe flexed to fit it over the curved support section 42 and the ledge 56.In this way, the cover 16 will be in tight engagement with the curvedsupport section 42, the support panels 34, 36, and the ledge 56.Advantageously, the tight engagement diminishes any wiggle room or playbetween the cover 16 and the support member 18, which might be exploitedto facilitate removal of the cover 16 from the support member 18.

With reference now to FIG. 4, endcap 12 is depicted. Endcap 14 issubstantially similar to endcap 12 but is a mirror inverse structure.Thus, discussion of endcap 12 applies as well to endcap 14. The endcaps12, 14 are configured to mate with the support member 18. Additionally,like support member 18, the endcaps 12, 14 are configured such that thecover 16 locks into the endcaps 12, 14 in a manner that makes removal ofthe cover 16 difficult. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the endcap 12 includesan engagement section 66 having a slot 68 formed by a curved extension70 and a curved support section 72. As with the support member 18 ofFIG. 3, the first edge 48 of the retainer cover 16 terminates in theslot 68. In embodiments, the curved extension 70 includes a taperedsurface 72 designed to match the curvature of the cover 16 in the regionwhere it enters the slot 68.

Further, the endcap 12 also includes a contoured ridge 74 that extendssubstantially perpendicularly from a side surface 76 of the endcap 12.The contoured ridge 74 is similar in function to the support panels 34,36 and to the ledge 56 of the support member 18 as shown in FIG. 3. Thatis, the contoured ridge 74 supports the contoured section 64 of thecover 16 and provides a structure for the second edge 62 of the cover 16to slide over and around. Thus, the contoured ridge 74 extends along theside surface 76 from a location proximal to the curved extension 70downwardly to the bottom (with respect to the orientation shown in FIG.4) of the endcap 12 and curves toward the mounting surface and then backupwardly to form a central ridge 78, leading to the curved extension 70and curved support section 72. As with the ledge 56 shown in FIG. 3, aprotrusion 80 extends from a portion of the central ridge 78 proximal towhere the contoured ridge 74 turns upwardly on the endcap 12. The secondedge 62 abuts or is in close proximity to the protrusion 80, which makesgripping the second edge 62 more difficult, especially for the purposeof prying the second curved section 60 of the cover 16 from around thecontoured ridge 74 of the endcap 12.

The endcap 12 includes multiple structures configured to engage thesupport member 18. Extending from the side surface 76 of the endcap 12are a first plank 82 and a second plank 84. The first plank 82 extendsfrom a first side of the central ridge 78, and the second plank 84extends from a second side of the central ridge 78. In this way, theplanks 82, 84 are separated by at least a distance corresponding to thethickness of the central ridge 78. In this way, the planks 82, 84 definea slot 86 adapted to receive the central strip 20 of the support member18. During installation, one or more holes are drilled (or may bepre-drilled) through the planks 82, 84 and the central strip 20, and afastener (e.g., a self-tapping screw) is inserted through each hole tojoin the endcap 12 to the support member 18.

The endcap 12 includes an interior surface 88 from which a first panel90 extends. The first panel 90 is arranged substantially perpendicularlyto the central ridge 78. Also extending from the interior surface 88 ofthe endcap 12 is an angled second panel 92. The first panel 90 and thesecond panel 92 are joined by a mounting panel 94 that is arrangedsubstantially perpendicularly to the first panel 90. Upon installation,the mounting panel 94 abuts the mounting surface. The first mountingpanel 90 includes a first lip 96, and the second mounting panel 92includes a second lip 98. The lips 96, 98 are positioned such that theyinsert between the mounting arm 22 and the angled mounting arm 24 of thesupport member 18 and such that the first panel 90 forms a substantiallycontinuous surface with the mounting arm 22 and such that the secondpanel 92 forms a substantially continuous surface with the angledmounting arm 24 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2).

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the endcap 12 has an arcuate structure.Specifically, the endcap 12 has a degree of curvature of about 90° . Inthis way, the endcap 12 caps the cover 16 and support member 18, whichare arranged parallel to the mounting surface, and transitions the endof the handrail system 10 into the wall. However, in other embodimentsthe endcaps 12, 14 can instead be inside or outside corners that joinsections of the handrail system 10. That is, where two mounting surfacesmeet, a first support member 18 and cover 16 can be installed on onemounting surface 11, and a second support member 18 and cover 16 can beinstalled on the other mounting surface 11. The two sections can bejoined at the corner where the mounting surfaces meet, e.g., an insidecorner where the angle between the mounting surfaces 11 is less than180° or an outside corner where the angle between the mounting surfaces11 is greater than 180°. The endcap 12 or endcap 14 will be angled tomatch the angle of the inside or outside corner and will have twoengagement sections 66 at opposite ends of the endcap 12 or 14 tofacilitate connection to both sections of the handrail system 10.

As mentioned above, the handrail system 10 as described herein issimpler to install than other conventional designs. In order to installthe handrail system 10 on a mounting surface 11, the endcaps 12, 14 mayfirst be attached to the support member 18. As shown in FIG. 5, theplanks 82, 84 are placed on either side of the central strip 20, and afastener 100, such as a self-tapping screw, is inserted through theplanks 82, 84 and central strip 20. In embodiments, the endcaps 12, 14are only attached to the support member 18 and are not otherwiseattached to the mounting surface 11. However, in other embodiments, themounting panel 94 may be provided with an adhesive or bonding agent toattach the endcap 12, 14 to the mounting surface 11 in addition to beingsecured to the support member 18. After securing the endcaps 12, 14 tothe support member 18, the support member 18 is connected to themounting surface 11 as shown in FIG. 6. A fastener 104 is insertedthrough a hole in the central strip 20 of the support member 18. Thehole may be drilled at the time of installation or the hole may bepredrilled. The fastener 104 is then secured to a threaded structure 106in the mounting surface 11. In the embodiment depicted, the threadedstructure 106 is a threaded insert embedded, e.g., into a wall stud. Inother embodiments, the threaded structure 106 can be a drywall anchor, atoggle bolt, a molly, etc. The number of fasteners 104 used to securethe support member 18 to the mounting surface 11 will depend, at leastin part, on the length of the support member 18. For example, a fastener104 may be placed every two to six feet along the length of the supportmember 18 to secure the support member 18 to the mounting surface 11.While the installation method described involves attaching the endcaps12, 14 to the support member 18 prior to attaching the support member 18to the mounting surface 11, in other embodiments the endcaps 12, 14 canbe attached after the support member 18 after attaching the supportmember 18 to the mounting surface 11.

Once the support member 18 and endcaps 12, 14 are secured to themounting surface 11, the cover 16 is snapped onto support member 18 andendcaps 12, 14. In an embodiment, the second edge 62 of the secondcurved section 60 of the cover 16 is hooked under the ledge 56 such thatthe second edge 48 abuts or is in close proximity to the protrusion 58of the ledge 56. The first edge 48 of the first curved section 46 isthen flexed over the curved support section 42 such that the first edge48 of the first curved section 46 is inserted into the slot 44. As thefirst edge 48 slides into the slot 44, the cover 16 recovers from itsflexed state to a relaxed state, which provides tight conformance of thecover 16 to the support member 18 and the endcaps 12, 14 and completesthe installation.

Thus, the installation of the handrail system 10 can be completed inthree steps: (1) attaching the endcaps 12, 14 to the support member 18;(2) attaching the support member 18 to the mounting surface 11; and (3)attaching the cover 16 to the support member 18. Further, a basicinstallation only requires four components: the two endcaps 12, 14, thesupport member 18, and the cover 16. Conventional handrail designs oftenrequire additional steps and a greater number components for theinstallation. For example, many handrail designs require a mountingbracket be installed on the wall. In such designs, a retainer strip forthe endcaps and cover is provided and attached to the mounting bracket.Thus, these designs incorporate at least one additional component and anadditional installation step.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, includingangles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actualmeasurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions and anglesof the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodimentsinclude any combination of one or more relative dimensions or anglesthat may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions notexpressly set out in this description can be determined by using theratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with theexpress dimensions set out in this description.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A handrail kit, comprising: a cover; a firstendcap; a second endcap; and a support member comprising a longitudinalaxis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along thelongitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a firstlongitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side; wherein the firstlateral side of the support member is configured to be secured directlyagainst a mounting surface; wherein the first endcap is configured tomate with the first end of the support member and the second endcap isconfigured to mate with the second end of the support member; andwherein the cover is configured to be placed over the second lateralside of the support member and to engage the first longitudinal side andthe second longitudinal side of the support member.
 2. The handrail kitof claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a slot on the firstlongitudinal side and a ledge on the second longitudinal side, whereinthe cover comprises a first curved section with a first edge and asecond curved section with a second edge, and wherein the first edge thecover is configured to be inserted into the slot and the second edge ofthe cover is configured to hook around the ledge.
 3. The handrail kit ofclaim 2, wherein the ledge comprises a protrusion on the first lateralside and wherein, when the cover is installed on the support member, thesecond edge is proximal to the protrusion.
 4. The handrail kit of claim2, wherein each of the first endcap and the second endcap comprise anengagement section, the engagement section comprising: a side surfacefrom which a ridge extends, the ridge having a contoured support sectionthat matches a contour of the cover, a curved support section, and acentral section between the contoured support section and the curvedsupport section; wherein the first curved section of the cover isconfigured to contact the curved support section; and wherein the secondcurved section is configured to contact the contoured support section.5. The handrail kit of claim 4, wherein the ridge is continuous alongthe contoured support section, the curved support section, and thecentral section.
 6. The handrail kit of claim 4, wherein each of thefirst endcap and the second endcap further comprises a first plank and asecond plank located on opposite sides of the ridge in the centralsection; wherein the support member comprises a central strip disposedbetween the slot and the ledge; and wherein the first plank and thesecond plank form a slot configured to receive the central strip of thesupport member.
 7. The handrail kit of claim 6, wherein each of thefirst end cap and the second end cap further comprise a first panelarranged substantially perpendicularly to the central section of theridge, a second panel angled relative to the first panel, a first lipextending from the first panel, and a second lip extending from thesecond panel; wherein, on the first lateral side, the support membercomprises a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, wherein thesecond mounting arm is angled relative to the first mounting arm; andwherein the first lip and the second lip are configured to be insertedbetween the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm when thefirst endcap and the second endcap are mated with the support member. 8.The handrail kit of claim 7, wherein, when the first endcap and thesecond endcap are mated with the support member, the first panel isconfigured to form a substantially continuous surface with the firstmounting arm and the second panel is configured to form a substantiallycontinuous surface with the second mounting arm.
 9. The handrail kit ofclaim 1, wherein the second endcap is configured for installation in aninside corner or an outside corner.
 10. The handrail kit of claim 1,wherein the support member is formed from extruded aluminum.
 11. Thehandrail kit of claim 1, wherein the cover is formed from an extrudedimpact resistant plastic.
 12. A method of installing a handrail, thehandrail comprising a first endcap, a second endcap, a support member,and a cover, wherein the support member comprises a longitudinal axis, afirst end along the longitudinal axis, a second end along thelongitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a firstlongitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side, and wherein themethod comprises the steps of: mating the first endcap to the first endof the support member and the second endcap to the second end of thesupport member; attaching the first lateral side of the support memberdirectly to a mounting surface; and attaching the cover to the supportmember over the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinalside.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the support member comprises aslot on the first longitudinal side and a ledge on the secondlongitudinal side, wherein the cover comprises a first curved sectionwith a first edge and a second curved section with a second edge, andwherein the step of attaching the cover to the support member furthercomprises: hooking the second edge of the cover around the ledge; andflexing the cover so as that the first edge of the cover can be insertedinto the slot.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the support membercomprises a central strip between the first longitudinal side and thesecond longitudinal side and wherein the step of attaching the firstlateral side of the support member directly to the mounting surfacefurther comprises the step of inserting at least one fastener throughthe central strip and into the mounting surface.
 15. The method of claim12, wherein the first endcap comprises a first plank and a second plankthat define a slot, wherein the support member comprises a central stripbetween the first longitudinal side and the second longitudinal side,and wherein the step of mating the first endcap to the first end of thesupport member further comprises the steps of: inserting a central stripbetween the slot of the first endcap; and joining the first plank, thecentral strip, and the second plank with at least one fastener thatextends through each of the first plank, the central strip, and thesecond plank.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first end capcomprises a first panel arranged substantially perpendicularly to thecentral strip of the support member and a second panel angled relativeto the first panel; wherein, on the first lateral side, the supportmember comprises a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, whereineach of the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm extends fromthe central strip wherein the second mounting arm is angled relative tothe first mounting arm; and wherein, after mating the first endcap tothe first end of the support member, the first panel is configured toform a substantially continuous surface with the first mounting arm andthe second panel is configured to form a substantially continuoussurface with the second mounting arm.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein each of the first endcap and the second endcap further comprisea first lip extending from the first panel and a second lip extendingfrom the second panel, and wherein the step of mating the first endcapto the first end of the support member and the second endcap to thesecond end of the support member further comprises inserting the firstlip and the second lip of the respective first endcap and the secondendcap between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm of thesupport member.
 18. A handrail, comprising: a support member comprisinga longitudinal axis, a first end along the longitudinal axis, a secondend along the longitudinal axis, a first lateral side, a second lateralside, a first longitudinal side, and a second longitudinal side; a firstendcap mated with the first end of the support member; a second endcapmated with the second end of the support member; and a cover placed overthe second lateral side of the support member and engaged with the firstlongitudinal side and the second longitudinal side of the supportmember; wherein the first lateral side of the support member isconfigured to be secured directly against a mounting surface.
 19. Thehandrail of claim 18, wherein the support member comprises a slot on thefirst longitudinal side and a ledge on the second longitudinal side,wherein the cover comprises a first curved section with a first edge anda second curved section with a second edge, and wherein the first edgethe cover is inserted into the slot and the second edge of the cover isflexed around the ledge.
 20. The handrail of claim 18, wherein each ofthe first endcap and the second endcap further comprises a first plankand a second plank that define a slot, wherein the central strip isdisposed in the slot, and wherein the first plank, the second plank, andthe central strip are secured together with a fastener.
 21. The handrailof claim 20, wherein each of the first end cap and the second end capfurther comprise a first panel arranged substantially perpendicularly tothe central strip, a second panel angled relative to the first panel, afirst lip extending from the first panel, and a second lip extendingfrom the second panel; wherein, on the first lateral side, the supportmember comprises a first mounting arm and a second mounting arm, whereinthe second mounting arm is angled relative to the first mounting arm;and wherein the first lip and the second lip are configured to beinserted between the first mounting arm and the second mounting arm whenthe first endcap and the second endcap are mated with the supportmember.
 22. The handrail of claim 21, wherein the first panel isconfigured forms a substantially continuous surface with the firstmounting arm and the second panel forms a substantially continuoussurface with the second mounting arm.